Chapter 9: The Wolf's head
To Imrahil the dark skies and the evil chants of their foes from outside the walls meant the doom of all that had loved in the world. He knew now that no more reinforcements would be coming from Gondor. He knew the elves would be having difficulties of their own, plus like the kingdom of Dale and the Dwarves, they were simply to far to be of any service. The Prince was aware that a courier had been sent to Rohan, but there has been no word of him for days. Imrahil kept his men on their feet and made sure that they kept their arrows flying through the air.
"There is no sleep now men, fight for life!" Imrahil exclaimed. His men were tired, many could not sleep out of the fear of battle that was normal for anyone that was going to put themselves in harms way. "If you sleep today you shall not open your eyes this side of Aman," The Prince reminded.
"That seems a bit harsh don't you think?" questioned the white wizard.
"Not at all, it is the truth. If life does not motivate men to fight than nothing will." Imrahil responded sharply.
It was obvious that the Prince was being tested mentally and physically. His nephew was in the citadel and he had no time to get word as to his fate, Denethor would not send down any further orders and only Gandalf and himself were now in command of a city that was home to neither of them.
Still, the rocks fell from the enemy's machines, Nazgul could be seen overhead and the men were at wits end. The enemy was trying to knock down the gates of the city. Imrahil smiled, "they can not break the gates." His men and the other archers of Gondor continued to fight and fire arrows and their own boulders down at the besiegers as they helplessly flailed themselves at the city's giant steel gate.
"Do not get too proud of the effort we are giving" Gandalf warned. "They are many more than us and we are cut off, the dark lord has not even shown us his full might yet."
"The people inside the city are panicking and the nazgul are able to strike fear into all, yet we still hold them at bay Mithrandir," Imrahil said smartly.
The time was late and the enemy was pulling back from the gate. Gandalf was not at his happiest. He knew that the men could not hold up long. The people of Gondor needed help, none was guaranteed. Then the word "Grond!" was heard echoing from across the fields. Imrahil looked out over the ramparts in shock and horror. "It's a giant wolf head"
"Yes," responded Gandalf, "Grond, named for the mace of Morgoth himself." Gandalf called for Shadowfax, his mount came on his own and he mounted.
"Where are you going?" The lord of Dol Amroth asked.
"I am heading toward the gate, it is about to fall." Gandalf said and he rode off.
Imrahil could not believe the gate would fall, but he decided he could not let Gandalf ride to the gate alone. He sent his knights to get their mounts. They quickly mounted and headed toward the gate. A steady hammering and cracking could be heard by the prince and his men. By the time they arrived in the courtyard they could see the gate was down. Gandalf stood at the gate, defiantly challenging a dark foe mounted on a giant winged beast. Imrahil could go no further, his men all stopped without orders as if the earth itself had frozen under the hooves of their horses. For all they knew, fear had finally taken them. They horror they felt at the site of this enemy was too much for them to advance, yet lesser men would not have been able to even stand witness without fleeing.
For a moment all was quiet, then a horn could be heard blowing. The enemy quickly vanished from site and them men quickly returned and the bravery the knights were known for returned. Imrahil rode at the head of his knights and came upon Gandalf.
"What is happening my friend?"
"Its Theoden!"
Imrahil could only close his eyes and be thankful Rohan has arrived.